Motivate reluctant writers with these tips for teaching writing

Tips for Teaching Writing to Reluctant and Struggling Students

I’m opening my mind to you, but I want you to know that this is a secret between the two of us and it goes no further. You and I both know there are loads of reluctant students that just want to get it done, turn it in, and move on.  They are not interested in being the next J.K. …

Digital or paper student interest surveys can help you guide 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to books they will love to read

Using Reading Interest Surveys in 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

One of the first steps to getting your reluctant readers excited about reading is getting to know what interests them as readers.  A reading interest survey is a great way to do this. Written by guest blogger Cindy KoopmansReading Interest Surveys – Through Conversation, Paper, or DigitalYou can get to know what sorts of books interest your 3rd, 4th, and …

Use these different versions of Cinderella books from around the world in a unit for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students

Cinderella Books from Around the World: 9 Multicultural Stories

Written by guest blogger Cindy Koopmans Let’s start with something familiar:  the story of Cinderella.   Then let’s take a trip around the world and transport this classic tale to many different settings and cultures.   Let’s use the story of Cinderella to teach point of view, theme, compare and contrast, and summarizing. Doesn’t this sound like a fun reading unit?  …

Tips for stocking your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade classroom library with quality literature without breaking the bank

How to Stock Your Classroom Library with Quality Literature – on a Teacher’s Salary

Written by guest blogger Cindy Koopmans It can be a challenge to stock your classroom library with quality literature, especially if you are living on a teacher’s salary – with no additional side hustle or supportive spouse and no one is offering to give you money to buy books.   I’ve been in your shoes and here is how you solve …

Free reading passages and reading comprehension worksheets for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

A Free Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Edison Printable Activity

Looking for some free reading comprehension practice for your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students?  Or are you wanting to introduce your students to Benjamin Franklin or Thomas Edison?  Or perhaps you want some paired passages to help students analyze two similar texts.  This free pdf can help with all of those things.Free Reading Passages for Two Famous InventorsThis free …

Free main idea worksheet to help 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students (pdf)

Free Main Idea and Details Worksheets for Meaningful Practice

What 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students couldn’t use extra main idea and details practice?  Use these free pdf printable to review this difficult skill with minimal prep on your part!Download These Free Main Idea Practice WorksheetsThis freebie includes 3 activities that you can use to practice main idea and supporting details: A grouping words activity to help students practice …

After introducing cause and effect, get past the basics to more rigorous, real world skills

Teaching Cause and Effect: Getting Past the Basics

Google “cause and effect lessons” and you’ll find some predictable ideas: Read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie or Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day Create an anchor chart with signal words Cause and effect matching game Use photos to show cause and effect examples Provide memorable examples, like popping a balloon And while all …

Free compare and contrast activity (pdf) for 3rd and 4th grade students

A Free Compare and Contrast Printable

No matter how often you teach comparing and contrasting to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, they can always benefit from more practice.  And a freebie to help you do this never hurts. Being able to identify similarities and differences is one of Marzano’s 9 high-yield instructional strategies.  So of course, we want to give our students as much …

Strategies to help you motivate your reluctant readers in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Strategies and Tips to Motivate Reluctant Readers

Written by guest blogger Cindy Koopmans Reluctant readers don’t have to stay reluctant.  They just need the right book to motivate and engage them. Choosing the “right for me” book is a critical piece of crafting a competent student reader.  Honestly, so often as students they don’t even know what they don’t know!  And who will explain all that to …

President's Day Read Alouds for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders

13 Books About U.S. Presidents for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students

Whether you are looking for a way to celebrate President’s Day, wanting to make history more engaging for your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students, or looking for a nonfiction read aloud about one of our past U.S. Presidents, then the book list below is for you.The Best Books for President’s Day or Engaging Students in U.S. History Written by …